Bhopal, Oct.31 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday paid floral tribute to one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as ‘Iron man’ on his 140th birth anniversary and took a pledge to maintain unity of the nation.

“It is our responsibility to make sure that the unity of this country is maintained. We take a pledge now to strengthen our nation by unifying the diversity of the nation and take the country forward,” Chouhan said, while addressing on the occasion of ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ (National Unity Day).

“Today, we do not need to die for our country but people need to live for the development of the nation. People like you have the potential, talent but need to work hard for ‘vikas’,” he added.

Prime Minister Modi while addressing the nation earlier on the occasion, pitched the ‘Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat’ programme which would be an effort by states to recognise and learn about other each other’s culture and language.

The Prime Minister also remembered the ‘Iron Man’s’ struggle in unifying the nation under the British rule.

“Every decision Sardar saab made was with a certain plan for the nation. His contribution to the nation is priceless. He did not want the nation to go back to being scattered after he left, that is why during his rule, and he fought every divisive element in the nation and united India in a short time,” Prime Minister Modi said.(ANI)